The fashion design curriculum offers technical and design courses that provide skills required in the fashion industry. Individual designs are presented in two-dimensional form, developed and perfected through techniques used in the fashion industry, and then executed in final and three-dimensional form in fabrics appropriate to the design. Junior design students are encouraged to complete internships in the fashion industry in New York City. Internships provide not only experience but industry contacts, and are strongly recommended. They may be conducted primarily during the summer semester.

Study abroad programs are readily available for fashion design majors.

Student learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

  1. Utilize problem-solving skills: Students will demonstrate skill in completing studio projects in draping, pattern making and fashion drawing utilizing competencies practiced in studio courses.
  2. Apply investigative and research skills: Students will complete original research and exhibit creative investigation in applied project development.
  3. Implement industry standard technology: Students create and present design and illustration projects utilizing industry standard computer software.
  4. Professionalism: Fashion design students exhibit professional oral and visual presentation skills, including critical feedback.
 

Special requirements

Sophomores are required to purchase departmentally approved dress forms.

Degree requirements for Fashion, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a concentration in fashion design

Course Title Hours
General education
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser.30
Major requirements
• Major core requirements
FASH 201Construction Techniques3
FASH 203
FASH 204
Tailoring I
and Tailoring II
6
FASH 205
FASH 206
Fashion Drawing I
and Fashion Drawing II
6
FASH 290Textiles for the Fashion Industry3
FASH 301Advanced Draping I3
FASH 302Advanced Tailoring II3
FASH 303Design Theory and Illustration I3
FASH 304Design Theory and Illustration II3
FASH 305Advanced Tailoring I3
FASH 306Advanced Draping II3
FASH 319Fashion History: The Modern Era3
FASH 345Fashion Communication3
FASH 401Focused Design Applications3
FASH 402Cultural Issues in Studio Practice3
FASH 404Design Portfolio4
• Additional major requirements
Studio courses (select six credits)6
Focused Design Applications 1
Cultural Issues in Studio Practice 1
Middle of Broad: Interdisciplinary Community-engaged Design Studio
Advanced Fashion Technology
Line Development Studio
Studio Topics in Design
Ancillary requirements
• Art Foundation Program
ARTF 131Drawing Studio3
ARTF 132Surface Research3
ARTF 133Space Research3
ARTF 134Time Studio3
ARTF 139Project Studio2
or ARTF 138 Project Seminar
ARTH 103
ARTH 104
Survey of Art I
and Survey of Art II
6
• Additional requirements
Select from FASH 320 or any additional ARTH course3
Electives
Select any course at the 200 level or higher3
Select any courses at the 300 level or higher6
Total Hours120
1

Students may repeat either FASH 401 or FASH 402 for a maximum of nine credits.

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.

What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Freshman year
Fall semesterHours
ARTF 131 Drawing Studio 3
ARTF 132 Surface Research 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 103 Survey of Art I 3
UNIV 111 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry I Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
ARTF 133 Space Research 3
ARTF 134 Time Studio 3
ARTF 139
Project Studio
or Project Seminar
1
ARTH 104 Survey of Art II 3
UNIV 112 Play VideoPlay course video for Focused Inquiry II Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 16
Sophomore year
Fall semester
FASH 201 Construction Techniques 3
FASH 203 Tailoring I 3
FASH 205 Fashion Drawing I 3
FASH 290 Textiles for the Fashion Industry 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
FASH 204 Tailoring II 3
FASH 206 Fashion Drawing II 3
FASH 345 Fashion Communication 3
UNIV 200 Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) 3
Elective (200 level or higher) 3
 Term Hours: 15
Junior year
Fall semester
FASH 301 Advanced Draping I 3
FASH 303 Design Theory and Illustration I 3
FASH 305 Advanced Tailoring I 3
FASH 319 Fashion History: The Modern Era 3
General education course 3
 Term Hours: 15
Spring semester
FASH 302 Advanced Tailoring II 3
FASH 304 Design Theory and Illustration II 3
FASH 306 Advanced Draping II 3
General education courses 6
 Term Hours: 15
Senior year
Fall semester
FASH 401 Focused Design Applications 3
FASH 402 Cultural Issues in Studio Practice 3
FASH 404 Design Portfolio 4
Select from FASH 320 or any ARTH course 3
Elective (300 level or higher) 3
 Term Hours: 16
Spring semester
Elective (300 level or higher) 3
General education course 3
Studio courses 6
 Term Hours: 12
 Total Hours: 120

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.